Clinical trial No longer in our active list Interventional Ages 18 and up

High-dose radiation treatment for patients with a few metastatic tumors

Official title: Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial and Economic Evaluation of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Comprehensive Treatment of Oligometastatic (1-3 Metastases) Cancer (SABR-COMET-3)

Run by British Columbia Cancer Agency · NCT03862911 · Data updated 2026-05-14

This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.

This study is testing if a high-dose radiation treatment called SABR can help people with 1-3 metastatic tumors live longer and feel better compared to standard radiation therapy.

More Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment330 (estimated)
SponsorBritish Columbia Cancer Agency
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsChemotherapy, radiation, bevacizumab, immunotherapy, doxorubicin
Locations17 sites (Griffith, New South Wales and 16 other locations)
Trial IDNCT03862911 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 or older with 1-3 current metastases and a controlled primary tumor.

Probably not a fit

Patients with more than 3 metastases or those who are suitable for surgical resection may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) compared to standard palliative radiotherapy in patients with 1-3 metastatic tumors. The trial aims to assess overall survival, progression-free survival, toxicity, and quality of life outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either SABR or standard care, with an integrated economic evaluation to analyze cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the study will explore potential biomarkers associated with the oligometastatic state.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve survival and quality of life for patients with oligometastatic cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with SABR in similar patient populations, indicating potential for success.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Total number of 1-3 current metastases, and a maximum 8 lifetime metastases
* Age 18 or older
* Willing to provide informed consent
* ECOG score 0-2
* Life expectancy \>6 months
* Histologically confirmed malignancy with metastatic disease detected on imaging. Biopsy of metastasis is preferred, but not required.
* Controlled primary tumor

  * defined as: at least 3 months since original tumor treated definitively, with no progression at primary site (can be considered controlled if no evidence of the primary tumour on imaging)
* A history and physical exam, including ECOG performance status, performed within 6 weeks prior to trial enrollment
* Not suitable for resection at all sites or decline surgery
* Patient has had a CT chest, abdomen and pelvis or PET-CT within 8 weeks prior to enrollment, and within 12 weeks prior to treatment(if randomized to SABR). CT neck as clinically indicated.
* Patient has had a nuclear bone scan (if no PET-CT) within 8 weeks prior to enrollment, and within 12 weeks prior to treatment(if randomized to SABR)
* If solitary lung nodule for which biopsy is unsuccessful or not possible, patient has had an FDG PET scan or CT (chest, abdomen, pelvis) and bone scan within 8 weeks prior to enrollment, and with 12 weeks prior to treatment (if randomized to SABR). CT neck as clinically indicated.
* If colorectal primary with rising CEA, but equivocal imaging, patient has had an FDG PET scan within 8 weeks prior to enrollment, and within 12 weeks prior to treatment(if randomized to SABR)
* Patient has had CT or MRI brain imaging if primary has a propensity for CNS metastasis within 8 weeks prior to enrollment, and within 12 weeks prior to treatment(if randomized to SABR)
* Patient is judged able to:
* Maintain a stable position during therapy
* Tolerate immobilization device(s) that may be required to deliver SABR safely
* Negative pregnancy test for Women of Child-Bearing potential (WOCBP) within 4 weeks of RT start date
* Patient is able and willing to complete the quality of life questionnaires, and other assessments that are a part of this study, via paper or online using REDCap (if email address is provided by participant on the informed consent)

Waivers to the inclusion criteria will NOT be allowed.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Lesion in femoral bone requiring surgical fixation
* Chemotherapy agents (cytotoxic, or molecularly targeted agents) used within the period of time commencing 2 weeks prior to radiation, lasting until 1 week after the last fraction for patients randomized to SABR
* Serious medical comorbidities precluding radiotherapy. These include interstitial lung disease in patients requiring thoracic radiation, Crohn's disease in patients where the GI tract will receive radiotherapy, and connective tissue disorders such as lupus or scleroderma.
* Substantial overlap with a previously treated radiation volume. Prior radiotherapy in general is allowed, as long as the composite plan meets dose constraints herein. For patients treated with conventional radiation previously, biological effective dose calculations should be used to equate previous doses to the tolerance doses listed below. All such cases should be discussed with one of the study PIs.
* Concurrent malignant cancer, or history of malignant cancers within the past 5 years
* Malignant pleural effusion
* History of poor lung function (if treating near lung)
* History of poor liver function (if treating near liver)
* Inability to treat all sites of disease
* Maximum size of 5 cm for lesions outside the brain, except:

  * Bone metastases over 5 cm may be included, if in the opinion of the local PI it can be treated safely (e.g. rib, scapula, pelvis)
  * Any brain metastasis \>3 cm in size or a total volume of brain metastases greater than 30 cc.
* Clinical or radiologic evidence of spinal cord compression, or epidural tumor within \<2 mm of the spinal cord. Patients can be eligible if surgical resection has been performed, but the surgical site counts toward the total of up to 8 lifetime metastases.
* Dominant brain metastasis requiring surgical decompression
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women

Waivers to exclusion criteria will NOT be allowed.

Where it's running

  • Cancer Care Griffith
    Griffith, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Riverina Cancer Care Centre
    Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Alfred Hospital
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
    Recruiting
  • Tom Baker Cancer Centre
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    Recruiting
  • BC Cancer
    Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
    Recruiting
  • BC Cancer - Prince George
    Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
    Recruiting
Show 11 more locations
  • BC Cancer
    Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
    Recruiting
  • BC Cancer
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Recruiting
  • BC Cancer
    Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
    Recruiting
  • London Health Sciences Centre
    London, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting
  • Walker Family Cancer Centre
    Saint Catharines, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting
  • St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network
    Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland
    Recruiting
  • Beacon Hospital
    Dublin, Sandyford, Ireland
    Recruiting
  • Bon Secours Radiotherapy Cork in partnership with UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre
    Cork, Ireland
    Recruiting
  • Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
    Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Edinburgh Cancer Centre
    Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
    Recruiting
  • Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
    Glasgow, United Kingdom
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Robert A Olson, MD, MSc, FRCPC — BC Cancer Prince George
  • Study coordinator: Robert Olson, MD, MSc, FRCPC
  • Email: rolson2@bccancer.bc.ca
  • Phone: 250-645-7300

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.